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Michael Holms Coats

@m-holms-coats.bsky.social

320 followers 380 following 550 posts

architect, educator, European citizen. politics cannot be avoided. often post thematically in batches. blocking misinformation, not posting at the other place.

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · Feb 18

it's a carve up! - James Gillray, 1805

1805 cartoon of military imperialists slicing up giant plum pudding of the globe

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 15h

[ lovely metaphor: slake your thirst, rest your weary camel, no negative associations ]

... the Oasis Party.

Reposted by Michael Holms Coats

Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 1d

Who benefits from the abolition of stamp duty land tax?

The first answer: people buying very expensive homes. Average saving for someone buying a £10m+ home is £1.7m. Average saving for someone buying a £250k-£500k home is £5k.

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 15h

b) without other reforms, it's regressive - would be 'a very, very big tax cut for rich people'

c) it's 'nothing but political hot air designed to win votes' - and probably won't have that much impact

2/

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 15h

a) it's a bad tax - but economists aren't lining up to endorse this announcement - 'Badenoch’s proposal would need more credible measures to fund it', say experts, who highlight 'need for wider reform of property taxation'.

1/

www.ft.com/content/df62...

Should stamp duty be scrapped in the UK?

Conservative party says property tax deters people from moving house and stifles productivity

www.ft.com

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 16h

and ... I would beg sub-editors to please bury the (grievance politics) word 'broken'!

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 16h

'There Are Bad Times Just Around the Corner' - a very funny reference in observant article by @anooshc.bsky.social that's a sober reality check but not as doom-laden as the (digital) headline or this illustration.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/soc...

The UK’s sense of decline is terminal

Even the Doing-OK parts suffer from the anxieties of Broken Britain

www.newstatesman.com

Reposted by Michael Holms Coats

Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11d

The research, referenced in Friday's New Statesman article by @anooshc.bsky.social, along with Labour’s new 'Pride in Place' neighbourhood policy, suggests community empowerment could unlock national renewal. Read the article: www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

Will broken windowism save Labour?

A new neighbourhood policy is designed to make up for Boris Johnson’s betrayal – and combat Nigel Farage

www.newstatesman.com

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Reposted by Michael Holms Coats

James Plunkett @jamestplunkett.bsky.social · 11d

Re-sharing two things we published this week @kinship.works

First, some thoughts on the UK government’s Pride in Place programme. Six ways to make it a success. (1/n)

James Plunkett @jamestplunkett.bsky.social · 12d

Some thoughts on Pride in Place, the UK government’s major new investment in neighbourhoods:

medium.com/@jamestplunk...

Drawing on a range projects we have underway at @kinship.works And hello from Liverpool and Labour Conference 👋

Pride in Place. Yes, but how?

The details will make all the difference

medium.com

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 22h

'I'm thrilled ...'

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 1d

scone

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 1d

Since 2005 there have been 'lots of shocks – the crash, the referendum, the pandemic – yet most of the big market-shaking days have happened since 2021. What explains Britain’s debt shakes?' #economyUK

observer.co.uk/news/busines...

Britain’s high borrowing costs and low fertility rate cou...

Debt problems are now very public and will be Rachel Reeves’s biggest challenge this autumn

observer.co.uk

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 1d

fully agree - keen to hear more at the w/e.

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 1d

and even that's being generous.

Reposted by Michael Holms Coats

Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 3d

Are you worried or confused about the proposed law to restrict 'cumulative protests'?

We've contributed to this article breaking down your protest rights and what this new law could mean

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

How would tougher powers for police affect protests in England and Wales?

The home secretary has announced plans to allow officers to consider the impact of repeated demonstrations

www.theguardian.com

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

so where did the party of 'aspiration' go? out of breath? or expired?

#Conservatives

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

fair enough. in the meanwhile, how about writing to some Labour MPs (and the Home Affairs committee) and encouraging them to oppose these increased police powers?

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

reminder, it has to go before parliament - in amendments to the act. the Home Secretary needs to be reminded that she doesn't personally grant these police powers ... and perhaps resistance from the public (with reminders to our MPs) might foil her regressive approach to public order.

#Mahmood

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

I think people stick with X because we're used to placing convenience over conscience.

anyone sane should strip their X profile back to just a marker (to prevent ID theft) - but no posting, no replies, no DMs, bin lists ... and unfollow everyone.

then redirect to your #Bluesky.

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

I think people stick with X because we place convenience over conscience.

at the very least, anyone sane should strip their X profile back to just a marker (to prevent ID theft) - but no posting, no replies, bin lists ... and unfollow everyone.

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

co-ordinated public transport (accountable to a public body, under local control) is a plus ... another example of things the free market isn't much good at.

#urbanism

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 3d

... and our electoral system will continue to work ... ah, perfectly well.

Reposted by Michael Holms Coats

Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 5d

⚠️ Introducing new powers to restrict our fundamental right to protest is not the answer

During times of fear people understandably want to see action, but restricting protest further is likely to fuel tensions by taking away legal and safe ways for people to make their voices heard

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Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 4d

looks like this petition has gone from 10 signatures to nearly 13,000 in less than 24 hours! 👍

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 4d

I don't think harassing an individual police officer does anything for citizens' rights to protest.

much better to promote this petition, instead:
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...

Don’t crush our right to protest!

The right to protest is the heartbeat of democracy. It lets us speak out, challenge injustice, and hold those in power accountable. The Government’s plan would give police sweeping powers to ban repea...

you.38degrees.org.uk

Michael Holms Coats @m-holms-coats.bsky.social · 4d

I want us to resist the Home Secretary's performative and regressive use of the police.

but this is harassment of an individual police officer, who is not allowed to comment, in any case - and wholly unacceptable.

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